Join Potomac Valley Master Naturalists, JP Miller and Kris Phillips, for a raptor watch from the 40-foot stone tower at Washington Monument State Park in Middletown, MD.
PVAS Host: Kris Philips, JP Miller
Free and open to the public, though entrance fees to the site may apply. All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and limited to 5 per time slot (space is limited on top of the tower).
PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible
Each fall, many raptors (birds of prey) migrate south passing the Washington Monument. Raptor species we may observe include Broad-winged Hawks (pictured), Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Coopers Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and more! It’s worth the trip to Washington Monument just for the views (pictured).
Washington Monument State Park
6620 Zittlestown Road
Middletown MD 21769
Washington Monument State Park (maryland.gov): https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/washington.aspx
- Walking Distance: ~ 0.8 miles each way, 1.6 miles total
- Pace: Self-paced to the tower, Little to no walking once at the tower
- Exposure: Full exposure/no shade.
- Terrain: Solid pavement/sidewalk/flooring
- Restroom: There are bathrooms located below the parking lot but not near the tower. Plan to use the facilities prior to walking up the path to the tower.
- Parking/Where to Meet: Please note that the Washington Monument is a MD State Park, and there is an entrance fee for each vehicle – $4/vehicle for non-Maryland residents and $2/vehicle for Maryland residents. The park opens at 8:00am. Once in the parking lot, follow the approximately 0.8-mile, gravel path up the hill to the tower. Meet Kris and JP at the bottom on the tower at the start time associated with your registration.
- What to Bring: In addition to dressing for the weather, please bring a pair of binoculars for better viewing of the birds if you have them; any type of binoculars will help. We will have a couple of pairs of binoculars for people to borrow.